Every Day an Adventure

Today was our clinic in Chinique. Most of our patients there are chronic patients, meaning that they have hypertension, diabetes, or some type of condition that requires regular doctor visits. Not too many "sick" people in this clinic in the sense that they could infect Isaac with anything. Which is good.

On our way to clinic, we dropped the green truck off at the Goodyear place here in Quiche for an oil change. The place is supposed to open at 8am, which means that we waited outside and were able to pull in around 8:15 or 8:20. We left the truck there for the oil change and went to clinic.

Isaac was really well behaved in clinic today. Matt only had to leave with him to walk around for about 15-20 minutes. We had our regular mix of patients, as well as a few new ones. We had finished with all the numbers and there was still a couple sitting in the waiting area. They were first-timers so we agreed to see them. Good thing, too.

She is 36 years old (more or less). We asked three times how many children she has. The first time the answer was 10 with the current pregnancy making 11. Not included are three miscarriages - every time she was breach, she said. We took a look with the ultrasound and found not one, but two babies. We asked her if she has had any twins, so far. No. Do you want twins? No. Well, we have bad news. She was visibly upset - not to tears or anything, but it was clear that twins was not what she had in mind.

We asked how old her youngest child is (to see if she's still breastfeeding). The answer was 2 years old. How old is your oldest? Four years old. Hmmm... How many kids do you have? Eight. Very well.

In any case, we explained to her that delivering twins on your dirt floor in your house with an untrained midwife is probably not the best idea anyone's ever had. Better to go to the hospital. She indicated that she wasn't going to go to the hospital - she's scared of this hospital here in Quiche. That's a pretty widely held sentiment.

We explained that she could come to Heidi's hospital in Chichicastenango and we can deliver the babies there. It's not a public hospital like the one in Quiche, it's a private hospital and we'll help with the money. We won't charge her any more than what a midwife would charge.

As she was leaving, we asked Roy whether he thought her Spanish was very good. He thought that it wasn't the best, so we called in the husband to talk to him. He says they have five kids. We talked some about the hospital in Chichi and told them that they should think about it, pray about it, and let us know. She'll probably deliver in November, so we have time. They did promise to come back for her next appointment in October.

Anyway, we came back to Quiche and stopped at the Goodyear place to check on the status of the green truck. They said it was ready but it was parked in, so Matt sent Heidi and Isaac home and waited to get the truck out. A few minutes later, he was on his way. He put gas in the truck and was headed back home when we got a loud noise, then lots of clacking from the engine. A minute later, the oil light came on. Luckily, he had to pass the service station again on the way home, so he pulled in and cut the motor (only had to drive about two blocks with all the noise). Oil was EVERYWHERE!

Apparently, it's possible to install the incorrect oil filter, even if you're a Goodyear station.

They made it right and Matt came home. Just another day in Guatemala.

Anyway, we only took two pictures today - one of Isaac on his bed/medicine container and another of where he was in the grand scheme of things...

Tomorrow morning, Matt will leave around 4:30am to get the grey truck down to the Mazda dealership in Guatemala City. We're losing coolant from somewhere and we're not sure where. Wish us luck with that.